Mt San Antonio College Top Questions

Looking back into my high school years I would tell myself to not spend all my time training for sports and spend more time concentrating on my education. While diversifing my friendships while taking more risks in life. Since i did not really enjoy my high school years since i spent all my time with sports

Don't try to fit into any preconceived college stereotype or standard. That's all television and movies. Let yourself be open-minded because you'll be pleasantly surprised at the kinds of opportunities that present themselves when you are open. Go in as an undecided major and take any class that seems interesting. If in the first two weeks you know that it's not for you, drop it. It's ok to drop a class. It's also ok to skip a class or two per semester, but it's not ok to skip the whole semester--you seriously can't learn everything the night before the final. It's not the end of the world not knowing what you want to do with your life. You have plenty of time to figure it out. Lastly, keep the partying to a minimum. There's a party every weekend and you have all your life to improve your beer pong skills. The partying doesn't stop just because your graduate so you'll have plenty of time. That paper and/or test is more important, trust me.

Set your priorities and do not let anyone steer you elsewhere.

If I had the chance to go back in time and talk to my high school senior self I would tell myself to take math early and to study hard even when I don't want to. I would tell myself that even though four years seems a long time to get a bachelor degree, there are personal matters and money matters that could slow my progress so be sure to start saving and apply for scholarships now. I would remind myself that having a direction is important and to see a councelor early to work out an education plan for my major. I would tell myself to always believe in me and know that even if it gets hard, there's plenty of student aid out there and tutors that are very helpful.

During my High School years, I dealt extensively with depression and contemplations of suicide. As such, my motivation to pursue a higher education was not very high?it was mostly the encouragement from my parents that lead me to apply for community college. However, as the years progressed and I found greater self-confidence and direction, I found the internal motivation to achieve what I thought would be impossible. If I were to speak to my younger self, I would stress that I have the intelligence and diligence to earn the highest degree in any field of study I choose. I would say that it is only our own fears and pessimism that prevent us from achieving greatness in life. When we have the motivation to succeed, the long hours of research, study and examination that its takes to earn a degree seem effortless. Nothing is impossible.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was a high school senior, I would say: Michelle, things are going to happen to you that are going to change your life. Life is full of surprises and something wonderful is going to happen! So believe it when I say that you are worth it! You CAN go to college! Many things are going to happen in the future that you are not expecting, but do not give up; you will succeed. With loss will come strength, and when you feel like it is all over, keep pushing because that is when your life will change and everything will be worth it! You are going to become disabled, however, don't focus on how your dreams were lost and of all the things you can't do anymore; but focus on all the things you CAN do. This will be a time when you will learn who you are, and it isn't who you thought you were. Focus on your school work, do not procrastinate with your homework and study for your tests. Against all odds, you are going to graduate with your degree!

If I could go back to my senior year and talk to myself, first of all I would tell myself to really start thinking about what I really want out of college instead of just taking for granted that I was going and not thinking beyond that. I would advice myself to really think about the consequences of everything I do, and to stop thinking that I really do know what I am doing, because I don't. I would also tell myself to ask for help and to stop thinking that I have to take care of everything myself. I would tell myself that even though I live in a city where it feels like I'm not a minority, I truly am a minority, especially at the school I've chosen to attend. I would also tell myself, a seventeen year old senior in high school, that turning 18 doesn't mean I'm an adult already, and that high school was really a piece of cake compared to what's ahead in college. Lastly, I would tell myself that pulling "all-niters" isn't the best way to study for a midterm or final.

If I went back in time and could talk to myself as a senior in high school, I would tell my self to become committed in my educational career instead of spending my last year in high school slackinng off and not giving any importance to my education. I would let myself know that leaving work for the last minute reduces my chances of attaining an assignment's educational purposes and limiting my own chances to prosper in my career. I would also tell myslef to keep my GPA in good standing because a high GPA would allow me to graduate high school with high honors and earn more scholarships to pay my college tuition.

If I could go back in time to 2003 as an Upland High senior and give myself advice about college would be a dream come true. In my family, I am the first to graduate from high school and make the transition to college. Between that transition, I had to learn the do?s and don?ts about a community college vs. a university, admissions, educational plans, GPA's, prerequisite courses, and so forth?all on my own. If my dream came true I would tell myself, ?go to a community college and stick with it, finish all the prerequisite courses required to transfer to the Dental Hygiene B.S. program offered at Loma Linda University, work super hard on getting A/B grades, don?t take any semester breaks keep on going, meet all deadlines, and don?t allow any distractions from home and life hinder my educational goals?! In reality, I spent a lot of time understanding the do?s and don?ts of a college transition and I got distracted between personal transitions; but now in the present I am not letting anything get in the way of my transition from Mt. Sac community college to LLU!

The college life style is very helpful to the dramatic transition, so use all the resourses that is avalible on campus. Do not feel shy when asking for help because it can mean your counselor can possibly help you recieve $500 worth of scholarships or $50,000 worth of scholarships; from third choice school or first chioce school. Do not let any opportunities pass you by because every opportunity helps you succeed and it also helps your parents wallets. Also, get involved in extracurricular activities, whether it be in student government, school clubs such as art, music, and language, or sports but stay involved, and if you do so with your best of your ability and do it in a positive way. Do not give up when times get tough because times will begin to get hard as years go but stay tough.

If I could go back to when I was a senior in high school, I would have not slacked off as much my last year. Also, I think I would have done more research about the school that I wanted to attend. I also think that I rushed to go to school. I know studies show that people who take a year off after high school wont go back to school. At the time I had many issues going on, and I think a year off would have been enough to get my priorities straight and get my mind where it needed to be.

If I could have the opportunity to meet myself as a high school senior and give myself words of wisdom to take along the way with me I would tell that seventeen-year old girl not to hold back the drive and passion to succeed you know you have inside yourself. Prolonging an educational process does only that... it prolongs it. There is nothing wrong with feelings of inadequacy or insecurity, but to use these as reasons not to pursue and education is only hurting yourself in the long-run. It's okay to take "baby steps," in the beginning to find your place. It's not a race, and every person is different; know yourself and know your limits. Going to school and becoming accomplished in something you're passionate about has no comparisons. By educating yourself through this process you will notice you'll find more of yourself along the way. Growing up sometimes means letting go; letting go of who you once were to become someone you will realize you always wanted to be, and it's okay to be scared, everyone is at some point. Learn to use fear as a motivation, and you will soar!

I would tell myself to take a College Career Planning course, I would also make sure that I take all my general education first rather then just take courses. I would advise my younger self to make a plan & put together a goal/storybaord chart that would help plan for the next ten years, rather then just taking courses with know direction. I would also advise myself to look at diffeernt scholarships & grants that can help pay for college and to get a job. I would also tell myself to get a job that is in the career I want to persue, and if I was not able to find something; I would advise myself to look for something close to that career. I would tell myself to also make sure that I revise my chart every year to fluctuate any changes in my goal. Also to make sure I cross off things on my chart that I successfully finished. Another thing that I would tell myself to do is make sure I put together a budget to better manage my spending & to make sure that I watch where I spend money on, maybe even start a savings account/investment.

Stereotypically high school is just a time when you have fun with friends and don?t take your education seriously. If I were to go back in time and tell myself as a high school senior, I will tell myself to take my education serious because in the end it will be worth it. High school is not only the time to have fun with friends, but also take you education seriously. During high school, you must do your hardest because that will become your future. In order to go to great places (universtiy, college) you must first do your best from the beginning. Certainly, this will be the advice to give myself as a high school senior.

Self, I'm the ghost of your future education, know this and all else will take its place that success be yours; what is going to make or break your education is your teachers. Search for them, inspect them like their your first car, and know that they have it, the 'take and put it in thing.' You can know something or even everything but to take what you know out of your brain and not just put it in someone elses brain, put put it in and make it stay there, that is what a good teacher does and an education is. Teacher + Education = Success

What would you think of the future if i were to tell you that you do not have time to attend most social events once you start college? it is not as easy as high school. Priorities have to come first over everything else and homework becomes your hobby. It is stressful but it is possible to overcome and pursue your education. Failing a class does not help, it only back tracks you in college. Thinking about school does not leave your brain but it helps you become more aware of your future and responsibilities that will make you become a better student and person overall.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to research the field I desire to be in more rather than listening to the opinions of everyone else and what they viewed of my desired career. I would tell myself to go see the counselors, the advisers, to visit the career help located on campus. I would advise myself to save my money and not spend it on monetary things that would not last me very long. I would also tell myself to relax, and not feel pressured by the social time clock that so many incoming freshman deal with in college. The time clock makes no difference when outside factors hinder you're personal goals, you're personal ambitions and plans to invest in your education. I would also tell myself to make sure I have fun, and that although as a high school senior I always told myself "work now and play later," you can't live on work alone. I would tell myself to go hang out with my friends, and understand that I need time to unwind and absorb the things I will be learning.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, the first thing I would tell myself to not sell myself short. The first day of my senior year of high school was the same day of my mother's funeral. She battled cancer from the time I was nine to seventeen years old. Dealing with that personal tragedy made the thought of transitioning to the college world overwhelming. I decided to make things easy on myself and my family and go to community college. We were hurting financially and I didn't want to leave my home and my siblings after losing my mom. If I could go back now I would have told myself to look into every opportunity available to me. I always thought that because we weren't receiving any kind of government aid financially that I would not qualify for any grants or schoarships. I had no idea the financial assistance that was available to me. Because of my mother's illness I did not have a normal childhood, and I regret not having the full college experience and not attending a four year university.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to have much more fun and apply to more and many scholarships. I did not enjoy high school as much as I could have and did not worry enough about college. I would advise myself to look into schools more and find what I like to do, take the classes I needed to but also take classes that are fun. I would tell myself ot work, but have fun doing it and have fun while not at work, such as going out with friends and experience life to the fullest degree and work the best I could! Had I done these things, things would be much smoother and happier now.

When I was a high school senior, I had always had my eyes set on a specific prize, and a specific road to get there. I had my entire college career mapped out already. But after a semester in college, I learned that it is so much better to keep my options, my eyes, and my heart open. Having one, single way to get things done only serves as a one-way ticket to disappointment. In college, it's pretty much a dog-eat-dog society. Classes that you've always imagined yourself taking will be filled up before you know it, and you can't do anything about it. It's understandable to be upset, but it also gives you an opportunity to pick a class that you wouldn't have really seen yourself taking. Who knows -- this class could inspire you to do something with your life you never thought you would do. Now instead of worrying about how far off track I am from my "plan," I'm having fun, experiencing new things, and leading my life to a place that I'd never really envisioned myself going to. But maybe that's not a bad thing.